Benedictus is Latin for “blessed.” In the Bible it is the traditional name for the Song of Zechariah, the prophecy Zechariah spoke in Luke 1:68-79 after his son John (later known as John the Baptist) was born. The song takes its Latin name from its opening word, “Benedictus” (“Blessed”).
Definition of Benedictus
Benedictus is a Latin word meaning “blessed.” Click here for the word’s dictionary definition, or see this overview of the canticle.
The Song of Zechariah
Zechariah was a priest and the father of John the Baptist. After John’s birth, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy, recorded in Luke 1:68-79:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:68-79)
Use in worship
The Benedictus has long been used as a canticle (a scripture song) in Christian morning prayer, particularly in Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgy.